Manchester United players demand to know 'why the f***' Louis van Gaal replaced Angel di Maria with Juan Mata against Leicester
- Angel di Maria was replaced with Manchester United level at 3-3
- Juan Mata was his replacement but United went on to lose 5-3 to Leicester
- A United player said afterwards: 'Why the f*** did we substitute Di Maria?'
- The Argentine had earlier scored a brilliant goal to make it 2-0
- United spent £156million in the summer but only £16m on a centre back
- The Old Trafford side have looked vulnerable in defence this season
Manchester
United stars slammed the substitution of Angel di Maria during a fiery
dressing-room inquest after their shocking 5-3 defeat at Leicester.
Di
Maria, who had scored an early contender for Barclays Premier League
goal of the season to put United 2-0 up, was substituted when the score
was 3-3.
During
scenes described by one source at the King Power Stadium as ‘very
heated’, a United player was heard to say: ‘Why the f*** did we
substitute Di Maria?’
Angel di Maria is substituted by Louis van Gaal with Manchester United level at 3-3 against Leicester
Di Maria (back row, centre) sits on the bench and watches United capitulate, eventually losing 5-3
Van Gaal brought on Juan Mata (back row, centre) to replace Di Maria with less than 15 minutes remaining
The
Argentina forward was United’s obvious match winner after his stunning
performance against QPR the previous week. But under-fire manager Louis
van Gaal, who has won just one game since he took over, withdrew the
£60million signing from Real Madrid in the 76th minute.
Leicester were clearly lifted when Di Maria was replaced by Juan Mata and scored twice to seal a remarkable victory.
Van
Gaal openly condemned his team in the dressing room following their
humiliating defeat and Rafael was also criticised by a number of players
for his part in the implosion. The Brazilian defender gave away a
62nd-minute penalty that allowed Leicester to claw their way back into
the game.
United
left the stadium in such a hurry that they suffered abuse from
Leicester fans when their team bus was stuck in traffic near the
stadium.
Di Maria had earlier scored a stunning goal to put United 2-0 up and seemingly cruising against Leicester
Di Maria celebrates his brilliant chip but his smile would soon disappear as United threw away the three points
United will not rush to sign a new centre back in January despite their alarming defensive frailties at Leicester.
The
shocking manner of their collapse underlined a lack of leadership and
organisation and prompted the furious reaction from Van Gaal. Their
problems were compounded by an ankle injury to Jonny Evans, their most
experienced defender.
United
spent £156million in the summer but only £16m on a centre back, Marcos
Rojo, who now plays predominantly at left back. The recruitment plan has
been branded ‘mismanagement’ by Sportsmail’s Jamie
Carragher while former United defender Gary Neville said that the side
now have a soft centre that all Premier League sides will attack.
Though United recognise there is an issue, the central defenders who are available are not deemed of good enough quality.
Rafael was adjudged to have fouled Jamie Vardy in the area to hand Leicester a way back into the game
David Nugent fired home the penalty to reduce the Foxes' arrears and enable them to launch a comeback
Esteban Cambiasso levelled the game at 3-3 with a fine strike as United's defence fell apart at the seams
Jamie Vardy kept his cool to fire the ball home and put Leicester in front for the first time in the game
Leonardo Ulloa made sure of the three points with a penalty that left keeper David de Gea with no chance
Van
Gaal spoke openly about the need to address the departures of Rio
Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra if only more for their
experience than performances. Yet the club had been told that Borussia
Dortmund captain Mats Hummels was not for sale, Manchester City had
already captured Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala and Arsenal would only deal on
Thomas Vermaelen if Chris Smalling was sent the other way.
Dortmund’s
stance on Hummels is unlikely to change until the summer while United
have reservations about the likes of Ron Vlaar at Aston Villa and Fabian
Schar at Basle.
Manchester United are interested in signing World Cup winner Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund
Van
Gaal was clear from early August that his priority should be a
left-sided centre back with an ability to bring the ball out of defence.
He was alarmed that United’s defenders seemed incapable of starting
attacks from defence with any real assurance.
Rojo,
who played for Argentina in the World Cup final, is highly regarded by
Van Gaal and will get his chance at centre back against West Ham on
Saturday with Evans out, Phil Jones injured and Tyler Blackett
suspended.
Van
Gaal said: ‘I think that Luke Shaw shall be fit enough to play. Marcos
Rojo can play and Chris Smalling can play, so we can manage. But it’s a
thin choice.’
Marcos Rojo can play at both left back and centre back but has yet to find a settled position in United's defence
Luke Shaw has yet to convince Van Gaal that he is ready to be a regular started under him at United
Van
Gaal will meet with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward this week, as
he does most weeks, and discuss his squad’s progress. He says the whole
team is responsible for results such as Sunday’s defeat and not just the
defence.
Van
Gaal has also indicated that Wayne Rooney’s future lies in midfield.
Explaining his selection for Leicester in which Radamel Falcao started
and Mata dropped to the bench, he said: ‘I was not so satisfied with
Rooney as a striker and Mata as midfielder. That is why I changed.
Rooney can play in more positions, he’s a multi-functional player.’
Rooney,
talking to Sky, said: ‘I don’t think anyone can put a finger on my best
position, but I am adaptable. I can go into midfield, drop out wide or
play up front. It depends on where the manager wants me to play.’
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